March 14, 2008

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Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), he of the quixotic GOP presidential campaign and unique policy positions, is never one to be shy about his opinions. Take the case of fallen New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D), whose political career fell apart this week after his liaisons with high-priced call girls became public. Spitzer resigned his office effective Monday.

Most politicians from both sides of the aisle publicly (at least) offered condolences for Spitzer and his poor family, including his three daughters, but didn't — of course — defend Spitzer's atrocious behavior.

But for Paul, Spitzer's downfall at the hands of a Justice Dept. investigation shows government at its worst. Yes, Spitzer climbed to power on the backs of political enemies he destroyed, making him not a swell guy, but he didn't deserve what happened to him. The FBI should have never been allowed to listen in to his phone call in the first place, according to the Texas Republican.

Here's the statement Paul made on the House floor last night. It's worth reading, at least for the enlightenment it gives into Paul's view of the world, which basically comes down to who controls the money:

"Madam Speaker, it has been said that 'he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.' And in the case of Eliot Spitzer, this couldn't be more true. In his case it's the political sword, as his enemies rejoice in his downfall. Most people, it seems, believe he got exactly what he deserved.

"The illegal tools of the state brought Spitzer down, but think of all the harm done by Spitzer in using the same tools against so many other innocent people. He practiced what could be termed 'economic McCarthyism,' using illegitimate government power to build his political career on the ruined lives of others.

"No matter how morally justified his comeuppance may be, his downfall demonstrates the worst of our society. The possibility of uncovering personal moral wrongdoing is never a justification for the government to spy on our every move and to participate in sting operations.

"For government to entice a citizen to break a law with a sting operation — that is, engaging in activities that a private citizen is prohibited by law from doing — is unconscionable and should clearly be illegal.

"Though Spitzer used the same tools to destroy individuals charged with economic crimes that ended up being used against him, gloating over his downfall should not divert our attention from the fact that the government spying on American citizens is unworthy of a country claiming respect for liberty and the Fourth Amendment.

"Two wrongs do not make a right. Two wrongs make it doubly wrong.

"Sacrifice of our personal privacy has been ongoing for decades but has rapidly accelerated since 9/11. Before 9/11, the unstated goal of collecting revenue was the real reason for the erosion of our financial privacy. When 19 suicidal maniacs attacked us on 9/11, our country became convinced that further sacrifice of personal and financial privacy was required for our security.

"The driving force behind this ongoing sacrifice of our privacy has been fear and the emotional effect of war rhetoric — war on drugs, war against terrorism and the war against Third World nations in the Middle East who are claimed to be the equivalent to Hitler and Nazi Germany.

"But the real reason for all this surveillance is to build the power of the state. It arises from a virulent dislike of free people running their own lives and spending their own money. Statists always demand control of the people and their money.

"Recently we've been told that this increase in the already intolerable invasion of our privacy was justified because the purpose was to apprehend terrorists. We were told that the massive amounts of information being collected on Americans would only be used to root out terrorists. But as we can see today, this monitoring of private activities can also be used for political reasons. We should always be concerned when the government accumulates information on innocent citizens.

"Spitzer was brought down because he legally withdrew cash from a bank — not because he committed a crime. This should prompt us to reassess and hopefully reverse this trend of pervasive government intrusion in our private lives.

"We need no more Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act! No more Violent Radicalization & Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Acts! No more torture! No more Military Commissions Act! No more secret prisons and extraordinary rendition! No more abuse of habeas corpus! No more Patriot Acts!

"What we need is more government transparency and more privacy for the individual!"

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Reader Comments (15)

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So let me get this straight. Ron Paul, The Messiah!, is upset that a corrupt politician was removed from office using warranted wiretaps, something perfectly and clearly allowed by the Constitution? That old cliche about keeping your mouth shut and letting people think you a fool rather than open it and remove all doubt. Of course that's an idea Paul threw out a long time ago. The tools that were used against Spitzer were all in existence long before the PA. I agree with him that FISA is an unConstitutional infringement on the President's intelligence gathering powers. Ron Paul should read the Constitution more, maybe then he'd learn that Spitz was condemned legally and Constitutionally and that the Constitution does not provide a form letter for or instruct how Congress is to declare war, it only states that it be Congress that authorizes it. Which it did!
We need no more RON PAUL! That is what America needs!

Spitzer was brought down the day after the Fed paid 200 billion dollars to criminal predatory lenders such as Bank of America, CitiGroup, and the Carlyle Group, because the value of their stock decreased. If you think these monies were spent to save homeowners from foreclosure, think again. The Fed paid these banks because their shareholders in Saudi Arabia called their puppet in Washington and demanded it! Spitzer filed a law suit on behalf of new york residents, to restore the money stolen from the working class. This posed a threat, needless to say, against the banking elite on Wall Street. So now, the loan-sharks are getting our taxpayer $, keeping the homes of evicted new yorkers, and apparently get the services of the FBI -spying on Spitzer- and the Justice Dept. to oust him from power.
Well Done Saudi-Sheiks and loan-sharks, well done indeed!

After reading the first two comments posted, I'm left to wonder...did these two people read the same article I did??? Perhaps they did what so many "americans" (intentional small "a")do today...read headlines only and just skim the surface of things. People have forgotten how to read and, thus, allow others to make up their minds because they are either too busy or too apathetic. Hence, responsible jounalism has become state propoganda. It's sad, really. Bottom line is I am no friend of Spitzer or in agreement with his morally corrupt acts...and neither is Paul if the other posters bothered to read into the article past the first 2 or 3 paragraphs...but, I applaud Paul's words and the 3rd poster to this article hit it on the head. I encourage people to read this article again...IN FULL..and then make a decision. FISA is evil...treating 300 million American citizens as if they are all potential terrorists when there...MAY...POSSIBLY ...be a handful of real terrorists living among us is wrong and the very tyrany our Founders fought against.

"upset that a corrupt politician was removed from office using warranted wiretaps, something perfectly and clearly allowed by the Constitution? "
More like, he regrets that those warrants were issued, since they were based on banks reporting something that is none of the government's business.
-jcr

I am just baffeled by the total disregard for freedom in this country, the first comment was idiotic and perverse. Ron Paul is standing up for American freedom and fools mock him, parroting the worst of the corporate media. Dr. Paul stands up to fight for YOUR freedom and not only does he stand alone, but he is mocked for his brave effort. The media has treated him shamefully and defiled the only honest and real patriot in the race and then these bashers come along and can't wait to have a go at him, while he defends them. Classless scum!

let me see--a corrpupt politician is one who pays to get laid--not one who sends men and women off to die in a war he lied to justify--what a brilliant set of minds justify that two wrongs in fact are preferable to rivacy and freedom!
it's idiots like the first two who have prostituted this nation's heritage determining that the wisdom of bureaucrats is preferable to a constitution that guards all--and that a patriot is a fool for defending us against the state--brilliant--you do hitler proud--

Ummm, the question is how did they get the wire taps- If they got them with a warrant that arose from a legitimate government purpose, okay. But what first arose (pardon the pun) the suspicion of the Feds was a large cash withdrawal from his bank account- why is the government so concerned about how much money I take out of my account? Oh, the War on Drugs started that. Then the wire taps began and why is the federal government so concerned about prostitution? Apparenly a politician can't buy a piece of a** but he can be bought by a lobbyist ala' McCain and then preach to us how bad it was that he was bought and use it as an excuse to pass more laws to regulate who?
Yes, how dare Ron Paul seek more freedom for the citizens. I need to be protected by me, just like McCain needs to be protected by McCain. Please pass more laws to save me from me.

Indeed, if Ron were only younger and better looking, we would be choosing between him and Obama, and intellingo-Americans would be awash in a riches of good choices.
Ah well - we are too stupid. We don't deserve Ron Paul, as the first two posters clearly articulate.